Where to Stay in Tuscany: Best Areas, Villages and Types of Stays

Tuscany suits a stay in a Siena hotel or b&b inside the historic center, a farmhouse in the Sienese countryside, or a holiday home near the coast at Casale Marittimo. Siena’s province also holds three other UNESCO sites (San Gimignano, Pienza and the Val d’Orcia), so the area you pick decides how much driving each day takes.

At a glance

• Historic center: Siena, hotels and b&bs often in ancient buildings
• Countryside: farmhouses and rural houses around Siena, or just beyond the city gates
• Val d’Orcia: UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its own housing listings
• Coast side: Casale Marittimo, holiday homes, apartments, a b&b and a campsite
• Tourist tax: up to 5 euros per night of stay

The best areas to stay in Tuscany

Siena: for sleeping in the historic center

The historic center has hotels and b&bs, often housed in ancient historic buildings. The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Anyone who prefers the countryside can choose a place just beyond the city gates.

Val d’Orcia: for farmhouse and countryside stays

The Val d’Orcia is a World Heritage Site, and its landscape has churches and palaces. The official Val d’Orcia website has a housing section titled ‘Waking up in Val d’Orcia’. Via Cassia links Siena with Montalcino through hills, vineyards and the ochre ‘crete’ of the valley.

Asciano: apartments and a villa in the province of Siena

Asciano has an agriturismo, a farm stay, listed with apartments and a villa. Each has an independent entrance and a private outdoor space or covered terrace. It suits travelers who want their own front door in the Sienese countryside.

San Gimignano: a base on the Florence-Siena road

San Gimignano’s historic center is one of the Tuscan UNESCO sites in the province of Siena. On the Florence-Siena highway, the Poggibonsi exit leads to it. The Chiantigiana (SR222) also links Florence and Siena through the heart of the Chianti Classico region.

Casale Marittimo: holiday homes and a campsite near the sea

Casale Marittimo has a B&B in the historic center, apartments, a resort, farmhouses with private pools, a camping and residence, and an agriturismo about 5 miles (8 km) from the sea. There are apartments in the village, a b&b in the historic center, a resort with holiday home rentals and a campsite with residence. Tenuta Ricrio’s independent farmhouses each have a private pool, at least 4 rooms and 8 beds. One farmhouse of 400 square meters is divided into 4 apartments and sleeps up to 15.

Florence: for museums on foot

Florence has Palazzo Pitti, which houses five museums. The Fondazione Salvatore Romano sits in the Cenacolo di Santo Spirito. In August the city empties as most people crowd the coasts.

Elba: for beach days at Fetovaia

Fetovaia Beach is on the island of Elba. Choose Elba when the beach is the point of the trip.

Where to stay in Tuscany with kids, as a couple or on a budget

• Groups and families: Casale Marittimo · independent farmhouses with private pool, or a 15-bed farmhouse · holiday homes with space for everyone
• Privacy: Asciano · apartments and a villa with private outdoor space · countryside near Siena
• Camping: Casale Marittimo · campsite with residence

What is the best area to stay in Tuscany?

The city is a UNESCO site, and San Gimignano, Pienza and the Val d’Orcia lie in the same province. Sleep in the countryside beyond the gates if you’d rather wake up among farmhouses.

Hotel prices and when to book in Tuscany

The tourist tax can be applied up to 5 euros per night of stay. Expect it on a farmhouse or apartment bill as well as a hotel one.

August sends most people to the coasts and empties Florence. The Antica Fiera di Signa, with the Incendio della Torre at the end of August, draws great participation, so book early if the trip falls around it.